Garbage

Written by cycleguy on September 3rd, 2014

Warning: this is not a post I normally do. But, in all honesty, I am somewhat “ticked” about this and deeply offended.

I seldom mention names or take anyone to task by mentioning a name. I might mention a heresy or an action but back off from “calling out” people. I know I live in a glass house so someone could throw stones at me and shatter my glass as well. But this is not an incidental matter. This is not a matter of infidelity (least not physical). It is not a matter of fraud (least not monetarily).

It is a matter of biblical integrity. It is a matter of God’s glory being dragged through the mud. It is a matter of totally misrepresenting God, not only to a “church” but also to the masses. My first reaction was “What in the world?” My next was “Are you kidding me?” Then I felt the heat rise.

Read this article please so you know what I am writing about.

Did you have the same reaction I did? Did you read closely what she said? Were you able to read long enough to get to Daniel Wallace’s comment about blatant narcissism?

I’m speechless. Well…not really but I need to be. This kind of garbage just totally blows me away. But I will stop and simply ask you what you think. Agree or disagree. Please be kind either way. 🙂

 

25 Comments so far ↓

  1. the Old Adam says:

    I’m not surprise one bit.

    People want to prosper and turn the whole thing ion top a project revolving around ‘the self’.

    Jesus said that “if you are to gain your life in this world, you need to lose it.”

    If the Osteens preached the Cross…it would empty out that place. And then you’d be left with a faithful remnant…like in so many places that do preach the Cross for real sinners.

    • cycleguy says:

      Totally agree Stephen. It would be interesting to see what would happen if the Gospel was truly preached there. It is not done now that’s for sure.

  2. Jeff says:

    I have also read the “in support of” side. Ms. Osteen can rely on an awful lot of Scripture to back up what she says. There is a lot of “If you do such and so then blessings will flow”. I have no dog in this hunt so you all will have to decide which scriptures mean something and which do not.

    • cycleguy says:

      The whole “health and wealth” thing finds Scripture and bends them out of context to say what they want. They are masters at it.

      • Jeff says:

        I’m not sure it is a “health and wealth thing” You would be hard pressed to find a church handout without a health prayer list. Someone’s relative or friend needs a leg up from Jesus. I think the actual rub is on the wealth side and generally coming from the not so wealthy types. Is praying for health OK or not? Is praying for wealth OK or not? For some Jesus is a business. And a good business.

  3. I’m with Cliff Huxtable.

  4. Daniel says:

    I am surprised that you are surprised. These two folks are multi-multi-millionaires who have been shoveling the smelliest crap for years that has misled countless thousands. In truth though, if a Christian cannot read the Bible for themselves and come to a reasonable understanding with the Spirit’s leading, then if they accept nonsense like this, they are not looking to find God, they are looking to find themselves. The quote actually made me laugh as it was just such rot.

    • cycleguy says:

      I’m not surprised. I am ticked. I am blown away by the blatant misuse and downgrading of God. but you are right Daniel. They shoveling this smelly stuff for years and most of it lands in their pockets. My reaction to the quote was more like gagging.

  5. David says:

    I’m speechless as well, or, more accurately, choosing to bite my tongue. This is afterall, a family safe site.

    She says, “Just do good for your own self.” In front of tens of thousands of viewers? Really?

    That kind of thinking may well put people in the pews but won’t do much for feeding His sheep. As a matter of fact I think it will more likely starve His sheep and it sure the heck doesn’t give glory where it belongs …

    • cycleguy says:

      You hit the nail on the head David. It will starve the sheep. It won’t certainly lead them to Jesus nor give glory where glory belongs. She just gave glory to man.

  6. Desert Jim says:

    That certainly switches around the idea of an Audience of One.

    If it’s all about me, I can think of alot of people who should just stay home and sing in the shower – me for one.

    Spend a little time listening to Christian music stations and you’ll hear their promo spots talking about “encouraging, positive, uplifting, safe for the family” music. I really don’t think that’s the point at all. But that seems to be their message on how to attract listeners which means that is what people are looking for in their religion. I guess that’s why their church is full. Yuck!

    • cycleguy says:

      Those were my exact thoughts DJ. Forget the Audience of One concept, unless it is me as the audience. Well said. BTW: did you hear the Disciple song?

      • Desert Jim says:

        The radio station is playing their new song called “Radical”. I like that one. Their songs always have a good message and they rock too!

  7. cycleguy says:

    I know some of you are late to this party and some are early. got that? here is another take on the incident in question:

    http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/al-mohler/the-osteen-predicament-mere-happiness-cannot-bear-the-weight-of-the-gospel.html

  8. Jacci says:

    Wow! I like Bill Cosby’s response :).

  9. Kari Scare says:

    I am thankful for people like Matt Perman who points all we do – all of our productivity and purpose – toward the Gospel. His book “What’s Best Next?” helps apply the Gospel as the driver of every detail of our lives. I also read in “My Utmost for His Highest” this morning that unless we pour the blessings God gives us back out again, they will themselves turn into idols in our lives.

  10. Zee says:

    I’m with you, Bill. Because of such people, many don’t even consider becoming a Christian for the fear of having to let go of common sense and reason.

  11. Betty Draper says:

    Missed this on so am late on commenting but could not let this go by without expressing my concern. I am beyond mad, I am convicted and challenged to be bolder to speak truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of God’s Word. This kind of talk should not surprise us, it’s been around since forever and they even bring it to these third world countries. I remember a woman preacher coming to Papua New Guinea and thought where does she get the nerve to preach her distorted message to a group of people who live mostly in huts and are afraid of the spirits of their dead ancestors and believe they are descendant from different birds are alligators. This kind of teaching just adds to their animistic beliefs and leaves them bound for an eternity in hell. Good call Bill, good call.

  12. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! Wow. That’s really messed up. I think we are definitely to worship God because he is God. Because he is my Creator. Why would I do that for me?

    Maybe she means that God likes us to worship him? Well, even so, she says it in a confused way. I like the saints of old saying that they ‘lose themselves’ in God. The worship is pointed to God and being connected to him. Not pleasing themselves.
    Bleah.
    Ceil